Chapter 12 - Agatha’s Charge
Agatha faced misdemeanor battery for slapping Benson.
And a child-endangerment/neglect count related to repeated food deprivation.
No felony starvation.
Benson had not lost significant weight.
No medical injury.
The conduct was still harmful.
She accepted plea after video and CPS records.
Plea:
Misdemeanor battery.
Misdemeanor child endangerment.
One year probation.
Parenting/grandparent education.
No unsupervised contact with Benson during probation.
No food-based punishment with minors in her care.
Community service.
Short suspended jail term.
No actual incarceration due age, no record, limited physical injury, plea.
At sentencing Agatha said:
“I believed hunger was a consequence.”
Then:
“I believed if Benson ate after disrespect, he learned crying worked.”
The judge asked:
“Do you believe that now?”
She hesitated.
Then:
“No.”
Not convincing.
But words.
Then:
“I also believed my son needed help getting control of his household.”
There.
Control.
Not parenting.
Then:
“I treated Rosalie as competition.”
I stared.
Good.
Finally.
“And Benson became the place where I tried to win.”
That was stronger.
No apology to me.
She apologized to Benson through written statement later.
Not delivered immediately.
Therapist would decide.
Then her civil relationship with me:
None.
May you like
No forced reconciliation.
Good.
